The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-27
N elson Notes.
NELSON COUNTY, January 9th, 1887.

NELSON COUNTY, January 2ith 1887
Editors Virgi7ian:
Your editorial IN the last issue of your valua-
Bile journal, with refer renee to the execution of
Cluverius, meets with the hearty con currence
of a large majority of the people of this county,
SO far as your correspondent has been able to
ascertain. While as justly observe he may
have been guilty, yet it is manifest there did
not exist, so far as can be ascertained from the
evidence as published, that dead moral GER
tainty that the law requires TO justify the talk
ing of human life. In such a case of the first
Importance. the law cannot afford to make q
mistake except upon the side of mercy, because
while it is easy to take life, yet it is matter
ofhuman impossib11ity to restore it-and there
fore no man should be judically deprived of
life in the absence of clear and unmistakable
proof of guilt. Any other view than this, if
enforced, leads to the utter destruction of our
whole social fabric. If, as We bell eve God will
surely punish the guilty, there can be no pos
sible escape for the culprit, even though
through lack of human proof he should be en-
abled to get beyond the reach of human law.
AS surely as the morn follows the night, he
will obtain his Just reward
1t is stated in the last issue of the ViAdic1to,>
it is supposed in order to vindicate his refusal
to interfere, that Gov. Lee said he was in pos
session of facts that did not appear in the trial.
which tended to prove his guilt, If this be
true, it would certainly be a great relief to a
large majority of the public, if he could be per-
suaded to publish them, so that they m light be
relieved from the horrible thought that pos ST.
bly, one of their sellow-citizens had through
the forms of law, been unjustly and improp-
erly deprived of his life, for no matter what
may be said to the contrary, unless this is done.
he viii subject himself to harsh and it may be-
criticism.
Our County Court meets to-day. There is no
business of general interest to be transacted
On Wednesday the case of the Commonwealth
VS. Lyon is set for hearing. This prosecution
grew out OF the trouble at Massie's Mill on last
election day-brought about, it is said, by the
tco free use OF Bourbon whiskey. Judge Kirby
will represent the accused.
DR.. Wills, the Oldest inhabi tant of Lo wing
ston, and who will be s. should he live to see
the first day of next February, is said to be at
the point of death. He will be greatly missed
when he passes away.
Rev. Mr.. Howard has been holding series of
revival meetings for the benefit of the Nelson
Presbyterian Church He is assisted by Dr..
Bell, the pastor. So far he has met with little
success. 1t is greatly to be hoped that much
good viii be accomplished.
Your correspondent learned o few day ago
from-a gentleman we'll informed upon the sub
Jeet, that the tin deposits discovered not long
since on the headwaters of Irish Greek, in
Roeknridge- county, extend into this county.
and give promise of abundant yield.
Elisha G. Thurmond, of this county, died at
his home near Rockfish Depot on Monday
morning, after a protracted illness. He was a
prominent citizen, greatly admired by-alI who
knew him, and VIII be sadly mourned by his
family and friends; He was the father OF Judge
stevens wife and also the wife of Rev. Dr.,
Bedsoe, of the Methodist church.
Information has just reached here that Mrs
John w stone, sister of Judge Kirby's wife and
Of the wife OF Prof. Kable, and the sister Of W.
WsaGfbbs the two latter of your city is at the
point OF death at her home in louisville Ken
lucky. This viii be sad news to her host of
friends IN the Valley ard this section of Vir-
glnla, where sac was well known and be-
loved The warm sympathies of all friends wiz
how towards her family and distressed re1a-
lVeS. PUBLIC PULSE.